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10 Products to Buy in Bulk
One way to beat inflation is to stock up on items with long shelf lives — before prices go up
5-minute read
Paul Spella (Getty 2)
Key takeaways
- Bulk-buying can help stretch your budget, but only if you have the storage space and will use items before they lose effectiveness.
- Many household staples, including trash bags, foil, batteries and HVAC filters, have long shelf lives or do not expire.
- Everyday essentials, such as toiletries, cleaning products, pet food and diapers, offer savings when purchased in large quantities.
Bulk buying isn’t just for canned goods and toilet paper. Tinfoil, cleaning supplies and toiletries also have a long shelf life. And with inflation continuing to rise, loading up on certain household staples can help you stretch your budget.
Still, buying in bulk is a commitment. Before you make a purchase, ask yourself: Will I use it? How long does it last? And do I have room to store it? The third question is key, says Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst at DealNews, a comparison shopping website. “Buying in bulk, in general, can make a lot of sense,” she says, “but cluttering up your home doesn’t.”
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Here are 10 long-lasting products that are often worth purchasing in bulk.
Trash bags
Shelf life: No expiration
This household good won’t go stale — plastic bags (sadly) don’t readily decompose. If you have the space, it’s worth stockpiling, says Ramhold. “Some families wait for certain brands to go on sale at the local grocery store and stock up; others just go to Costco and pick up trash bags” in bulk, she says.
Plastic storage bags
Shelf life: No expiration
Resealable plastic bags are handy for all sorts of storage needs — snacks, sandwiches, craft supplies and more. So there’s no reason to not stock up, Ramhold says. To eke out savings, consider cleaning and reusing them.
Tinfoil, plastic wrap and parchment paper
Shelf life: No expiration
If you have storage space, these products are worth stocking up on. They don’t expire, and if you love to cook or bake, they’re essential to have in your kitchen.
Toothpaste
Shelf life: Two years
Toothpaste can be an ideal buy-in-bulk product because we use it daily. But don’t overshop — generally, toothpaste has only a two-year shelf life. After that, some ingredients begin to lose effectiveness.
Shampoo and conditioner
Shelf life: One to three years
Technically, shampoo and conditioner don’t expire, but many manufacturers list a “period after opening” date on the back of the bottle. Look for an open-can symbol with a number and the letter M beneath it — that will tell you the recommended time of use after the bottle has been opened. For example, Garnier shampoo has a shelf life of 12 months, Pantene shampoo is best to use within 36 months and Maui Moisture conditioner is best when used within 18 months, according to the brands.
“You’re looking at saving about 10 to 20 percent when you buy the larger bottle of shampoo,” says Andrea Woroch, a consumer savings adviser in Bakersfield, California. “Better yet, stock up when the bulk item is on sale.”
Underwear, undershirts and socks
Shelf life: No expiration
“Things like tank tops, undershirts and basics that you need to wear under something are good bulk purchases,” says Ramhold. The savings can be substantial: For example, a six-pack of boxer briefs typically costs significantly less than if you were to buy six boxer briefs individually. The same pricing advantage applies to other undergarments and socks sold in bulk.
Bar soap
Shelf life: Two to three years
You won’t find an expiration date on a bar of soap’s packaging, but most tend to have a shelf life of two to three years. (Natural bar soaps typically have a shorter shelf life because they don’t contain artificial preservatives.) Likewise, body wash and shower gels generally last two to three years after opening. And the bigger bottle can cost up to 20 percent less, Woroch says.
Batteries
Shelf life: 10 to 20 years
Bulk-buying batteries can save you money and come in handy when emergencies strike. After all, nobody wants to be left in the dark during a blackout or a storm because the flashlight batteries are dead. Batteries have a really long shelf life — up to 10 years for most regular batteries and up to 20 years for most lithium batteries when stored in cool, dry conditions. Two exceptions: 9-volt batteries last up to five years, and rechargeable batteries typically last up to one year.
HVAC filters
Shelf life: No expiration
When forced-air heating, ventilating and cooling (HVAC) system filters get dirty, it’s bad for your health and your wallet. That’s because dirty filters can negatively affect your indoor air quality and force your HVAC system to work harder, raising your energy bills. Most air filters should be replaced every three to 12 months, depending on the size and thickness of the filter and whether your home has a pet. Buying filters in bulk, especially if your home has more than one heating and air conditioning system, means you’ll never be empty-handed when you need a clean one. Plus, multipacks are often sold at a discount.
Diapers and wipes
Shelf life: No expiration
If you’ve recently become a grandparent, do your grandbaby’s parents a favor and give them the gift of diapers — a lot of them. Or, if you have a warehouse club membership, take the new parents with you to buy diapers and wipes in bulk. The warehouse store brands are usually cheaper per diaper or wipe than other brands, says Kristin McGrath, senior editor at coupons and deals website The Krazy Coupon Lady. Plus, when warehouse clubs have sales on brand-name diapers, prices are usually as low as their store-brand counterparts, she says.
Cameron Huddleston contributed to this report.
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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